# Ep. 604: Clear Clutter With a Courtroom Hack, Plus How to Decline a Request for Accountability

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/happier-with-gretchen-rubin-392423/ep-604-clear-clutter-with-a-courtroom-hack-plus-how-to-decline-a-request-for-accountability
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/happier-with-gretchen-rubin-392423/ep-604-clear-clutter-with-a-courtroom-hack-plus-how-to-decline-a-request-for-accountability.md
Podcast: [Happier with Gretchen Rubin](https://stenobird.com/podcast/happier-with-gretchen-rubin-392423)
Published: 2026-09-16T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/clear-clutter-with-a-courtroom-hack-plus-how-to-decline-a-request-for-accountability
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/claritaspod.com/measure/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/491/traffic.megaphone.fm/LEME6467612240.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/happier-with-gretchen-rubin-392423/episodes/ep-604-clear-clutter-with-a-courtroom-hack-plus-how-to-decline-a-request-for-accountability
Duration seconds: 2125

## Resource

Clear clutter fast with a courtroom-inspired trick, and we discuss how Upholders might set boundaries for unwanted accountability partners.  Episode highlights: Try This at Home: A hack for decluttering by issuing an “order to show cause" [04:34] Idea for Do-Spend September— A listener’s Do-Spend September upgrade turns into a housewide "Upgrade Week" [01:57] Four Tendencies Tip: How Upholders might set boundaries with Obligers looking for accountability partners [12:11] Happiness Hack: A clever way to repurpose empty Altoid tins [09:54] Fun with the Five Senses: The nostalgia and whimsy of Jello [20:35] Demerits & Gold Stars: Elizabeth’s Demerit: fallen off on dog-walking duties; Gretchen’s Gold Star: reviewed many books and podcasts [24:26] Mentioned in this episode: Altoid Tin Organizer Insert Take the free Four Tendencies quiz Rest Jump-Start Challenge on the Happier app Dakota Born by Debbie Macomber (Amazon, Bookshop) Blaming by Elizabeth Taylor (Amazon, Bookshop) Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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## Transcript

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